Faults:

Well, other than poor quality trim and the usual cheap plastic breaking in the night the car has been fine.

I complained to Honda about the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) not functioning properly. They in return told me that I was talking rubbish and left it at that. I further complained about the fact that you literally had to fight with the wheel to get the thing to turn, which almost caused me to crash on an emergency avoidance situation when a pedestrian walked out in front of me.

They eventually admitted that there had been a recall several months before. this happened at about 15k miles.

The alternator has also been replaced. That was only a few months ago now, so around 24k miles. When I was driving down the road, the dash board lights and exterior lamps would be flashing like a strobe in a nightclub. Fortunately this was covered on warranty, which I can thankfully say is covered for 3 years.

When you turn the ignition on now, there is a strange noise which sounds like the pumps on a Volvo headlight wash/wipe system. I have no idea what it is and it does sound like its coming from the ABS system. But with all the problems I have had with the dealers, I just don't care anymore.

General Comments:

Generally, I'm happy with Honda's first diesel. My only comment is, having previously owned an '89 Civic Auto, is that they're not built like they used to be.

My new 2003 Civic looks nice with the 16" Axe alloys that I put on it, but the looks really do not match the performance!

The performance is OK, but essentially, it only has 99bhp, and could do with another 51bhp or so. It falls by the way-side with the Audi and VW diesel equivalents.

Fuel economy is great. It usually costs me £47.00 to fill up a tank from virtually empty and I can usually get 595 miles out of a tank. I do a lot of long distance stuff, hence the high mileage and on long distances this car really comes into its own, although to be honest its not all that comfortable.

The dashboard layout is the best part of the car. It is fantastically ergonomic however there is not enough storage space without the optional centre consol which runs between the 2 front seats.

Faults:

No major faults apart from paint and rattles.

General Comments:

I liked this car for a bit, but now I can't stand the thing, driving it is extremely wearisome, due to the ride and the engine.

I'm sick of constantly rowing through the gears trying to find the power band, especially on twisty roads, you are either screaming it to death or having absolutely no torque or power at all.

Is it quick? It sounds quick, but recently I had a guy in a 2.0 Carina E, giving me a run for my money (don't laugh they are actually a lot quicker than they look)

I think its lack of torque really is the problem with this car, it loses out on a many so-called slower cars in many areas, as for them being on a par with Subaru's, Mitsubishi Evo's etc... forget it, not a prayer of keeping anywhere near one.

Lots of paint problems, mine was silver, back to dealer several times, especially for blotchy paint on the bodykit areas.

The quality of the ride is appalling, I know its supposed to be a performance car, but even so I don't expect to get joggers nipple just driving it for an hour, the jarrs and bangs are simply dreadful, it also sounds like you are driving with a plastic bin wedged underneath due to lack of insulation.

Build quality is not good either, you close the door and it goes "ching", its built like a bean can.

The looks haven't grown on me either, looks a bit like a bread van I guess.

Interior build quality is also not good, my interior creaks and rattles a fair bit, not helped by the ride.

So all in all, I'm not impressed with the car or Honda UK, and yes I am selling it.